What is the acceptance rate at Ferris State University?

Ferris State University's acceptance rate is approximately 91% (Big Rapids, MI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for Ferris State University?

Admitted students at Ferris State University typically score 890–1120 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does Ferris State University cost?

At Ferris State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $8,624 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend Ferris State University?

Ferris State University enrolls approximately 8,106 undergraduate students.

Where is Ferris State University located?

Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI.

Ferris State University: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MIpublicwww.ferris.edu/

Acceptance

91%

SAT 25–75

890–1120

Avg net price

$8,624

Earnings (10 yr)

$54,735

Graduation rate

47%

Admit rate has ranged 81%–88% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

Ferris State University is a practical powerhouse in Michigan's higher education landscape, offering a no-nonsense, career-focused education with a 91% acceptance rate and standout programs in plastics engineering, welding, and pharmacy. With a median post-grad salary of $62,890—beating national averages—it’s a blue-collar success story where hands-on learning and affordability ($13,978 average net cost) meet small-town camaraderie.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 8,106
In-state tuition: $14,778
Out-of-state tuition: $14,778
Avg Net Cost: $13,978
Acceptance Rate: 91.38%
Graduation Rate: 55%
Notable Programs: Plastics Engineering, Welding, Pharmacy
On-Campus Housing: 38%
Median Salary (5 Yrs): $62,890
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Avg Debt at Graduation: $31,700

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $54,735
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 6.3×
Median debt at graduation: $21,000
Graduation rate: 47%
First-year retention: 78%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 59%
Pell (lower-income) share: 62%
First-generation share: 35%
Endowment / student: $15,729

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians$74,122
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians$69,535
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians$67,240
Manufacturing Engineering$66,941
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians$65,905
Construction Management

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 13
Per 1,000 students: 1.60

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 93
Summer high: 80°F
Winter low: 19°F
Annual rain: 37.2"
Annual snow: 45.1"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Low

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 91
Scholarly works: 2,088

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 1.7%
Bottom → top quintile: 19%
From bottom quintile: 9%

Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at Ferris State University?: Ferris State University's acceptance rate is approximately 91% (Big Rapids, MI), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Ferris State University?: Admitted students at Ferris State University typically score 890–1120 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Ferris State University cost?: At Ferris State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $8,624 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Ferris State University?: Ferris State University enrolls approximately 8,106 undergraduate students.
Where is Ferris State University located?: Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, MI.

Admissions

Ferris State is about as close to 'open admissions' as a four-year university gets, with a 91.38% acceptance rate (per College Board data) and SAT/ACT ranges (400–1120 SAT, 20–24 ACT) that place most admitted students in the bottom 29% nationally. The school’s mission leans heavily toward accessibility: 93% of female applicants were admitted in one recent cycle (Peterson’s), and PrepScholar bluntly calls it a 'nearly open admissions school.' No application deadline is published, reinforcing its low-barrier approach.

bigfuture.collegeboard.org prepscholar.com petersons.com thoughtco.com

Academics

Ferris State’s 180+ programs (Study Michigan) are a mix of vocational heavy-hitters and traditional degrees, with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio (College Board). The university leans into its reputation for practical training: plastics engineering, welding engineering, and pharmacy are frequently cited as standout programs (Quora), while US News notes niche strengths in communications technologies (5% of majors). Graduation rates are middling—55% overall (College Board), with a gender gap (46% for men vs. 50% for women, per Research.com)—but the curriculum is unapologetically job-focused, with accelerated options touted in official materials.